Examining health and wellbeing of student athletes in a BSN program to strategically impact student retention

The purpose of this research is to examine student perceptions of their mental health and well-being to foster retention. Identifying and understanding these perceptions is pertinent to program development, which ultimately impacts the faculty's approach to student persistence. The study design used a convenience sample of students enrolled in a BSN program who were identified as student-athletes by the Midwestern University athletic department at a Division I sports institution. Those students were solicited for participation via their university email and provided a QR code and hyperlink for survey completion. The survey questions were provided by the Student-Athlete Well-being Scale (SAWS), developed by the National Athletic Association (NCAA), to explore student-athletes' perceptions of their well-being. The NCAA provided permission for the modified use of this survey instrument, using specifically requested questions. Study findings utilized descriptive statistics to determine relevant themes related to collegiate student persistence. The themes identified, which are also similar to those found in the literature, include resilience, mental health, wellness, and transition to practice as essential components. The long-term impact of these themes can be relevant to workplace readiness. Practical implications include fostering the ability of faculty members to strategically design student engagement offerings that promote these areas, thereby intentionally impacting student retention.